The converted aircraft were purchased following the Falklands War, after a requirement for additional air-to-air refuelling operations had been identified. Of the nine in service, two were tankers (K1) with passenger space and also limited space for cargo loaded aft of the main deck; three were solely transport aircraft (C2); and the remaining four (KC1) could be used for either of the two roles. The TriStars formed the air-to-air refuelling fleet of the RAF until replaced by the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

The TriStar fleet was operated by No. 216 Squadron of RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. 216 Squadron was officially disbanded on 20 March 2014 and flew its last sorties with the TriStar on 24 March 2014.[1] All nine aircraft are currently in storage at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, having been purchased by AGD Systems Corp in anticipation of a later sale. The aircraft are being maintained by GJD Systems to a fully airworthy condition.

Contents

Design and development

The two refuelling points under the rear fuselage are painted with red stripes for visibility

The Royal Air Force operated nine L-1011-500s TriStars, six ex-British Airways and three ex-Pan Am.[2] The TriStars were bought in the immediate aftermath of the Falklands War to bolster the long range capability of the RAF in the transport and tanker roles, as the demands of refuelling Hercules supporting forces stationed in the Falklands was rapidly using up the fatigue life of the RAF's Handley Page Victor tankers. A requirement for at least four wide-bodied tanker/transports was drawn up. At the same time, British Airways wished to dispose of its Lockheed L-1011-500 aircraft, and so put in a joint bid with Marshall Aerospace to supply six TriStars.[3] The initial order for the ex-British Airways TriStars was placed on 14 December 1982; the three ex-Pan Am aircraft were purchased in 1984.[4] All of the aircraft served with No. 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton.

Marshall Aerospace performed the conversion of the TriStars.[2] Two of the aircraft were passenger/tanker aircraft designatedTriStar K1s. Another four could operate as either tankers or passenger/cargo aircraft - these are KC1s. Three were pure passenger aircraft; two TriStar C2 and the solitary TriStar C2A. The C2A differed from the C2s in having some military avionics and a new interior.[2]

The RAF's TriStars were subject to progressive updating, including the fitting of flight deck armour and Directional Infrared Counter Measures to protect against ground fire when flying into Iraq. The aircraft were to be fitted with an updated cockpit, but this was abandoned due to the upcoming out-of-service-date.[5]

In 2017, Tempus Applied Solutions, an aerospace company based in the United States, procured six of the ex-RAF TriStars for further use. Four of the purchased airframes were AAR conversions, with the other two being pure freight versions. The company's intention was to restore three of the AAR tankers to service in that role, providing additional probe and drogue aerial refueling capacity to the US Navy and NATO nations that utilize that particular method. The remaining three airframes will be utilized as sources of spares.[8]

Variants

TriStar K1

Conversion of former British Airways TriStar 500s for tanker/transport/cargo role (not fitted with a cargo door), two aircraft. Additional fuel tanks of 100,000 lb capacity fitted in forward and aft baggage holds. Main cabin palletised and quickly configurable in mixed passenger / freight mode to seat up to 187 passengers with baggage stored forward end main deck. Two Flight Refuelling Mk 17T Hose Drum Units in underside aft rear fuselage.

TriStar KC1

Conversion of former British Airways TriStar 500s for tanker/cargo/transport role, four aircraft.

TriStar C1

Former British Airways TriStar 500s operated as passenger aircraft before tanker conversion.

TriStar C2

Former Pan Am TriStar 500s operated as passenger aircraft, with capability for carrying cargo and also Aeromed, two aircraft.

TriStar C2A

One former Pan Am TriStar 500 operated as passenger aircraft, different avionics to the two C2s.